Saying Goodbye

Last week, we had to say goodbye to some very dear friends who are moving back to Australia.  For two years, they have been just across the courtyard from us and now they will be across the world, on a whole other continent.  To say that we are sad about the void they are leaving behind doesn't even begin to cover it. 

We did, however, manage to cram in some pretty amazing moments on their last night here.   The plan was a picnic dinner in the park, but the real highlights came spontaneously.

Running and climbing and wrestling,

streaking through the spray park in the buff (okay, that one was just the three-year-olds),

hugs and kisses all around,

And of course, lots and lots of smiles.

Goodbye, sweet friends.  You will be dearly missed. You taught each of us so much in the last two years, not least of which was to expand Lilah's definition of family.  She will grow up knowing that families don't necessarily have to consist of one mommy, one daddy, and their kid(s), but beyond that, and even more importantly, she now knows that friends, good friends, are the family you get to choose for yourself.

We are going to miss the moments we shared, but know that, even though you are far away for now, there will be many more of these moments to come.

Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.

~~Omar Khayyam

 

Stealing Kisses...

This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge, "Hugs & Kisses"



Needy Mama

I have become one very needy mama.  Ever since Lilah stated giving kisses on a reasonably reliable basis, I find myself constantly asking her, "Can I have a kiss?" and, "Give Mama a kiss," and "Lilah, Lilah, Mama wants a kiss!"  There's a good chance I may sound like a creepy mom stalking my own baby.  But I can't help it.  And occasionally my begging pays off, and she throws a little love my way.  Those two seconds where she grabs my ears as if they are handles, pulls me in close and plants one on me with a big flourish of "Mmmmmwah!" are totally worth the rejection my requests are met with the other 75% of the time.  And I'm totally willing to overlook the fact that she's a sloppy kisser with bad aim and I usually have to wipe her slobber off my entire face.  Her kisses are only marginally less welcome when she has a runny nose or food all over her face.  Man, the things I put up with - I must be one smitten kitten!

Attempting to steal a kiss from the Lilahbility